Republicans Mourning for Mitt Romney? Not So Much

The exit polls also found that on Election Day, President Obama enjoyed a 53 percent favorability rating compared with Romney who was underwater on favorability with 47 percent.

And the criticism leveled at Romney from members of his own party this week didn't stop there. At the gathering of governors in Las Vegas, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said Romney's assessment was an example of "what sets us back as a party."

"Republicans need to stop making assumptions, and they need to start talking to younger people, people of color, and ask them -- not talk to them --ask them, 'What is it that we can do better? How do we earn your vote?" Martinez said in an interview, according to Yahoo! News.

But it wasn't just Romney's remarks on the donor conference call that have Republicans treating him like persona non grata. Unlike the 2008 GOP nominee John McCain, who returned to the Senate after his loss, Romney's political future within the party is unclear.

Some confidants have speculated that he is more likely to return to the private sector rather than continue to be a player in the political arena, especially given what is shaping up to be a crowded field of 2016 contenders.

"There's a real sense among many Republicans of a generational shift -- the farm team on the gubernatorial and congressional level hasn't been this strong since the mid-'90's," said Republican strategist Joe Brettell, "and as they step into the spotlight, I think you'll hear the same principles of economic opportunity, strong defense and personal freedom expressed in a new way by dynamic new leaders."

And as some of those new leaders sought to distance themselves from Romney's comments this week, the Republican candidate told those same donors the wound from his loss last week still feels fresh.

"We're still having a hard time, just contemplating what could have been versus what is, and it just doesn't seem real, we're still in the stage of denial at my house," Romney said with a chuckle. "We still think the campaign is going on."